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Washington Legislature expands gay partnerships
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| Contributor | The Sunset Provision |
| Last Edited | The Sunset Provision Apr 15, 2009 11:13pm |
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| Category | News |
| Media | Website - Yahoo News |
| News Date | Thursday, April 16, 2009 05:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | Same-sex domestic partners would have all the rights and benefits that Washington state offers married couples under a bill passed Wednesday by the state Legislature.
The Democratic-controlled House approved the Senate-passed measure on a mostly party-line 62-35 vote after nearly two hours of debate. It next goes to Gov. Chris Gregoire, who said she will sign it into law.
"Our state is one that thrives on diversity," Gregoire, a Democrat, said in a statement. "We have to respect and protect all of the families that make up our communities."
The bill expands on previous domestic partnership laws by adding reference to partnerships alongside all remaining areas of state law where currently only married couples are mentioned. The statutes range from labor and employment rights to pensions and other public employee benefits.
"This bill completes our work on domestic partnerships by making sure that we state clearly our intention to treat domestic partners in our state equally," said Rep. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, the bill's sponsor and one of six gay lawmakers in the Legislature.
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